More than a month after Superstorm Sandy barreled through Garden City, the village remains in recovery mode.
According to one concerned resident who pointed out the distinction in the species of trees that had fallen during the storm, the board has started thinking about replanting and rebuilding.
“I’m suggesting that we don’t lose the fact that we are a tree city and not a shrub city," the resident said. "It is important that we look at the tree inventory report and see what species were taken down during the storm."
Among the 516 village trees lost to Sandy, the majority were oak. Kevin Ocker, chairman of cultural and recreational affairs, said that all the downed trees have been cut into
11-foot logs and could be sold for approximately $100 per foot.
Village administrator Robert Schoelle said he's reached out to three universities to invite students
in the landscape architecture program to use the village as their
"palette" so to speak to help Garden City with re-planting efforts
following the widespread storm damage.
He sent letters to the landscape architecture programs at Cornell, where, incidentally, Ocker and village arborist Mike Didyk graduated, Syracuse
and City University of New York.
Students could help with selection of species
and more during the planning stages for re-planting on residential
streets. “Mr. Ocker and I are actively engaged in talking with universities to ... explore which best tree re-plantings should be implemented in the future," Schoelle said.
Ocker said approximately 27 or 30 pieces of trees could be salvaged though no price exists as of yet.
Mayor Brudie expressed concern for the great loss of trees. “We need to decide how to handle these trees in the future,” he said. “Everything went west. We have to be careful. We don’t want to hurt anyone or have any homes unnecessarily damaged.”
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Village Remains in Recovery Mode After Sandy
The village board discusses re-planting efforts.
Kevin Ocker said approximately 27 or 30 pieces of trees could be salvaged though no price exists as of yet. (Credit: Suzie Alvey)
Comments + Leave a Comment
Sally Carson December 7, 2012 at 09:07 pm
Seriously, Brudie? Last time you said "trees shouldn't be planted facing west". How does one accomplish that? Not it's "we need to be careful because all the trees fell west". so what are you gonna do when the next storm comes thru from another direction? Winds are all about which side of the storm you are on.
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Dora Sislian Themelis December 8, 2012 at 09:24 am
There are way too many trees planted too close together anyway. Now with a few of those monsters gone, I can finally see some sun and blue sky in front of my house.
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pat conway June 12, 2013 at 02:10 pm
just reading Jane Goodall with my son for school and came across this quote of an amazing woman…Read More "every individual matters, every individual has a role to play, every individual makes a difference." that is what makes our nation, our village so great everyone has an opinion whether we agree with it or not. It just saddens me to think some may not voice their opinion in the future because of the rather harsh comments which I'm sure were just meant to get a point across rather than be hurtful. Garden City residents are not afraid to get involved, to stand up for what they believe in and I am proud to live here.
GcSupporter#2 June 12, 2013 at 04:15 pm
"If there is no discipline, there is anarchy. Good citizenship demands attention to…Read More responsibilities as well as rights."
- Principal Joe Clark
pat conway June 12, 2013 at 05:00 pm
Thank you GcSupporter#2 I love quotes! tells so much about the person and their beliefs and life...I…Read More had to look up Principal Joe Clark after that....definitely a man I'd like to learn more about. I always try to use quotes with my children and their school work - I think the spoken and written word of others is so important!